Criminal case initiated against Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul

After filing the application, the lawyers held a press conference in front of the courthouse in Istanbul. Photo: ODAtv

On May 26, 2025, lawyers from the Homeland party filed a criminal complaint against the Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew for the unlawful use of the title "ecumenical patriarch". This was reported by the Turkish publication ODAtv.

In the petition submitted to the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that Patriarch Bartholomew "committed crimes related to the illegal performance of state duties, insulting the Republic of Turkey, state institutions and bodies, violating the unity and territorial integrity of the state, and attempting to violate the Constitution".

After filing the application, the lawyers held a press conference in front of the Çağlayan Courthouse.

Ozan Bayrak, Secretary of the Vatan Party Legal Fundamental Organization, who made the statement , said, “By using the title of ‘Ecumenical Patriarch’ on national and international platforms, Bartholomew is violating the sovereign rights of the Republic of Turkey and making statements and activities that are against the constitutional order.”

According to him, "The Phanar Greek Patriarchate is a religious institution serving the Greek Orthodox community in Istanbul, Bozcaada and Gökçeada, as defined in the Treaty of Lausanne. The Patriarch’s actions and statements outside this scope, and his definition of himself as ecumenical, have no historical or legal basis. The Patriarch is clearly committing a crime by not recognizing Lausanne."

The lawyer also claims that in the 2007 Supreme Court decision regarding the Greek Patriarchate of Phanar, it was ruled that the patriarchate's use of the title "ecumenical" had no legal force, that it contradicted Article 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey, and that the Patriarchate does not possess "ecumenical" authority. However, despite all these aspects, he continued, Patriarch Bartholomew continues to present himself as "ecumenical" and uses this title in the patriarchate's news reports, as well as at events he attends at home and abroad.

"Patriarch Bartholomew visited Greece and Estonia in 2023 as the ecumenical patriarch. He was welcomed with military ceremony during these visits and held meetings with state officials as if he were a head of state, using the so-called flag of the Ecumenical Patriarchate," Bayrak said.

In 2019, Bartholomew allowed the establishment of the Ukrainian Patriarchate in order to divide the Russian Orthodox Church, appointed bishops to many Orthodox churches around the world, and although he had no authority, he carried out these transactions in his ecumenical capacity and positioned himself as a worldwide spiritual leader.

"Patriarch Bartholomew persistently and continuously engages in activities outside his jurisdiction that would claim religious or political leadership over Orthodox communities in other countries, thus directly threatening the sovereignty and unitary structure of the Republic of Turkey," concluded Ozan Bayrak during a conversation with journalists in front of the Çağlayan Courthouse.

As reported by the UOJ, Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew discussed the future visit of the Pontiff to Turkey.

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